Chapter 51
The next day at breakfast, as soon as everyone sat down, Cheng Xiangqian started talking, also taking the opportunity to solicit opinions.
Cheng Jun was the first to express his opinion: "Dad, you are right. Business can be done anywhere. The most important thing is that our family lives close to each other so that we can take care of each other if anything happens."
Tao Zhi was surprised: "I thought you would ask your dad to quit."
Cheng Jun took out his pockets, which were empty, not even a penny: "I am powerless now."
The old man patted him and said, "There will be a chance. Wait until you can turn from a poor man to a rich man."
Cheng Jun patted his chest and said, "I will definitely not say a word when the time comes."
Tao Zhi thought, fortunately I don’t daydream.
After hearing this, Cheng Xing also thought it was a good idea. Otherwise, wouldn’t others be worried about his father if he was alone in his hometown?
The family had a precedent for this business contracting practice, and everyone accepted it well, especially Cheng Xing, who was quite experienced.
The house renovations were still some time away. The old man was just able to go back and handle the contracting. Cheng Xing was entrusted with the important task of finding a factory and second-hand machinery.
Tao Zhi said to the old man, "You want her to take the bus every day and wander around looking for a place for you?"
Cheng Xiangqian quickly denied: "That's definitely not possible. The money is all with you. Isn't it up to you to decide how to arrange it?"
"Then I have to ask your opinion."
"Set aside the start-up capital first. Everything else is up to you."
Tao Zhi turned around and asked Cheng Jun, "Is your brother not coming back because he doesn't have a car?"
"Do you mean the bus or your own car?"
"Company car."
"I told my brother that he could use the pickup truck, but he just didn't want to drive it, and it seems that my brother doesn't have a driver's license." Cheng Jun explained.
"So, is it far to take the bus back from the brick factory?"
"At least three hours one way."
All right, Tao Zhi left him alone. She discussed with the old man: "How about installing a telephone at home?"
"I have to install it, I have to install it, otherwise it will be too inconvenient." Cheng Jun complained instead.
Cheng Xing glared at him: "Don't you have a cell phone?"
"Sister, mobile phone bills are so expensive. I'll definitely call a landline if I have one." Cheng Jun felt a pang of pain just thinking about it.
Tao Zhi made the decision: "We'll install it this afternoon."
Now that the matter has been decided, the old man will go buy the tickets. The sooner the matter is dealt with, the better.
Tao Zhi returned to her life of raising a child. Since her home was small, she hired two part-time helpers. One was responsible for the three meals a day, and the other was responsible for cleaning. They came on time and left after their work. She didn't have to provide food and accommodation, which saved her a lot of worry.
Before Cheng Xiangqian left, the father and daughter agreed that the Alto would be driven back to Cheng Xing, while the old man himself chose a Santana. However, as soon as the new car landed, the old man had to go back, which gave Cheng Xing a bargain.
Time flew by, and two months had already passed in the blink of an eye. The house had been renovated, but it wasn't ready for living yet because the workers and Tao Zhi had said it would be best to let it air out for a month.
Cheng Xing's work has yielded impressive results. Through her tireless efforts, she has found and purchased suitable factory space and second-hand equipment. Originally completely unaware of mechanics, after studying the pile of books on her desk and paying a hefty phone bill, she has become a master of all equipment, large and small, and a master of various technical terms.
Therefore, the old man stayed home and taught Cheng Yu step by step, helping him quickly get up to speed. Cheng Xiangqian, over the phone, also arranged for two experienced workers to come over and open a new factory in a neighboring city. Cheng Xing drove back and forth every day, working day and night, building the new factory bit by bit.
Tao Zhi could see her fatigue, but no matter how haggard her face was, it couldn't block her dazzling radiance. Cheng Xing straightened her back and began to walk with a breeze. She became more and more confident, decisive, and calm, appearing so dazzling and radiant.
Tao Zhi finally felt completely at ease. She could attack or defend. Cheng Xing had shaped her. The weak her of the past had been covered in dust in her memory, fading away all color, leaving no trace of her.
Cheng Man had already started her winter vacation, but she hadn't finished her old man's work. She went straight back to S City. Since her father was not around, she chose to sleep with her mother.
Cheng Xing said, "Brother doesn't come home often, why don't you stay in his room?"
Cheng Man held Tao Zhi's hand and said, "Tell Dad to go to bed."
"Be careful, Dad will cut you."
Cheng Man raised her pointed chin: "He is reluctant to do so."
One day, Cheng Man came back from shopping and stealthily pulled Tao Zhi: "Mom, I just saw a boy and a girl at the cinema. They were holding hands and looking very intimate."
Tao Zhi's face turned serious: "Who did you go to the movies with?"
"Mom, this is not the point." Cheng Man stomped her feet.
"Your brother is already at this age, it's normal for him to fall in love. But you, on the other hand, have been invited to see a movie after just a few days back. I'm more concerned about who invited you."
Under Tao Zhi's gaze, Cheng Man said angrily, "We're college classmates. We came back on the same train."
"Is it just the two of you? Is the classmate a boy or a girl?"
"Mom, what's wrong with you? You're interrogating a criminal."
Tao Zhi softened her tone, "Mom didn't mean that."
"You never asked about these things before."
"We've just moved to a new city, and Mom's not used to it yet. I might be worrying too much about you."
"Mom, don't worry. I'll be twenty next year. I know how to protect myself."
Cheng Man's words instantly drew Tao Zhi back to Wangxiang Terrace. The image of Cheng Man, slumped on the ground, her life or death uncertain, suddenly flashed before her. The juxtaposition of circumstances and reality made Tao Zhi feel like she was in a nightmare, a scene replaying itself over and over again. Her breath caught in her chest, unable to rise or fall. She felt the blood rushing to her head, and her vision began to blur.
Cheng Man lowered her head, prepared to be scolded, but after waiting for a long time, she didn't hear a single word. She raised her eyes and saw tears welling up in her mother's eyes, threatening to fall. She froze in fear.
After a while, she said cautiously: "Mom——"
Just this sound, like a fog that had been lifted, called Tao Zhi back. She rubbed her eyes and felt her hands wet.
Cheng Man randomly pulled out a few tissues: "Mom, what's wrong with you?"
Tao Zhi wiped the corner of his eye and said, "Nothing, just thinking about some unhappy things."
"It doesn't have anything to do with me, does it?" Cheng Man pulled her sleeve.
Tao Zhi's gaze fell gently on Cheng Man, as if he was looking at her, but also as if he was not looking at her. Cheng Man felt inexplicably flustered.
Tao Zhi gently stroked her hair, as if it were a rare treasure. Although she didn't know what was going on, Cheng Man was very tactful. She leaned her head against her mother's shoulder, as if praying for silent forgiveness.
Tao Zhi sighed: "Manman, I'm sorry, Mom made a fuss."
"No, you're just worried about me."
"Yes, I worry about too many things. I'm afraid that you'll be deceived, bullied, that you can't see clearly into people's hearts, and that you..."
Cheng Man leaned against her tightly: "Mom, I'm not a child anymore."
"It's because I'm growing up that I have so many worries."
"Don't worry, Mom. I won't fall in love too early."
"Are you serious?"
"The army is very strict about work style."
Tao Zhi didn't know what was going on. She smiled through her tears, and finally felt relieved. She threw her gloves away, stood up, and said, "Go change. We're going out to eat."
Cheng Man negotiated: "Go to the State Guest House?"
"Aren't you hungry after running so far?" Tao Zhi said with disgust.
Cheng Man rubbed against her and said coquettishly: "As long as there is delicious food, who is afraid of going far? Let's go, Mom. I have heard of it for a long time, but I have never seen it in person."
Tao Zhi was so annoyed by her that she asked, "Are you responsible for feeding Cheng Jin?"
Cheng Man nodded vigorously: "No problem." The two of them quickly went back to the room to change clothes, went to the kindergarten to pick up the two children, and then went straight to the State Guesthouse.
The matter of Cheng Jun’s girlfriend was forgotten.
The Chinese New Year was only three days away, and Cheng Hui had gone home for vacation. The old man then drove back in his own car, exhausted.
Tao Zhi had tidied up the house in advance, still with a three-bedroom, one-living room layout. She and the old man each had a room, and Cheng Man also had a room to herself. The first thing the old man did when he got home was to fall asleep without taking a shower or eating.
After he had a good sleep, Cheng Xiangqian explained to Tao Zhi everything that was inconvenient to say on the phone.
First of all, it can't be said to be a contract, but rather an "asset transfer and business transition." The old man directly transferred the factory's machines to Cheng Yu at a 50% discount on the market price of new machines. The delivery period is a total of ten years, and the annual payment is at least 100,000.
The old man had carefully considered setting this amount. He had eliminated his brother-in-law's order. Based on the existing order volume, even if Cheng Yu was incompetent, he could still make a net profit of over 200,000 yuan per year for at least three years. If Cheng Yu was particularly motivated and paid off the equipment payment early, then ownership of the equipment would be transferred immediately.
The agreement also stipulated that Cheng Xiangqian would unconditionally transfer customer information, supplier network, and subsequent orders to Cheng Yu to ensure the normal operation of the machinery factory.
The old man rented out the factory buildings and dormitories at 20% off the market price to ensure the stability of the business premises. Cheng Yu chose to pay the money monthly, and he would go to the bank to transfer the money at the beginning of each month.
Cheng Xiangqian stayed for so long, firstly to teach his nephew more, and secondly to collect the first year's transfer fee. He gave Cheng Yu enough time to raise the money, saying that business is business and this payment cannot be delayed.
Therefore, when he came back this time, he brought himself, a car and 100,000 yuan.
Cheng Xiangqian didn't inform her in advance, and Tao Zhi was already angry. The matter was a foregone conclusion, and no matter how much she said, it would be useless, so she confiscated all the money.
After talking it out, it was time for dinner. They ate at Cheng Xing's place, mainly to accommodate the two little kids. After Tao Zhi moved out, the vacant room was cleared out and given to Cheng Jun to live in.
As for Cheng Hui's house, Tao Zhi hired some workers to renovate it for him after the New Year.
Cheng Jun's construction site had closed early for the holiday. Although he had some free time, he was still away from home every day. Every time Cheng Man made a face, Tao Zhi pretended not to notice.
It was the 27th day of the twelfth lunar month, and except for the old man who was resting, the whole family was out shopping for New Year's goods. The happiest ones were Cheng Mingcheng and Cheng Jin, who were flitting between the various stalls, and the two brothers Cheng Hui had to keep a close eye on them.
On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, the family washes away the mess. The whole family engages in a thorough cleaning, symbolically sweeping away the past year's "bad luck" and "luck," and praying for peace and good fortune in the coming year. Even Xiao Jin and Ming Ming have to grab a rag to keep things clean.
On the 29th day of the 12th lunar month, it's time to put up Spring Festival couplets and fry New Year's goods. Tao Zhi and Cheng Xing were in the kitchen when, not long after, a sizzling sound erupted, and a burst of intense aroma, mixed with the fragrance of various foods, permeated their noses and whetted their appetites. Two little kids ran straight into the kitchen and watched eagerly from the stove, their big, blinking eyes making anyone laugh.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com